Sondheim Sings, Vol. 2: 1946-1960 [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The second volume of Sondheim Sings is an even greater discovery than the first. While that was a fascinating glimpse into the composer's private recordings of early versions of very familiar songs, volume 2 goes back to 1946 (and earlier), when Stephen Sondheim was a precocious 16-year-old writing a show called By George (which, as legend has it, Sondheim presented to Oscar Hammerstein II, who told him, "It's terrible, and I'll tell you why," thus propelling an eventually brilliant career). The most familiar song to listeners will be "Do I Hear a Waltz," written as the title song of a show composed by Richard Rodgers, but "Pour le Sport" is a fun romp. Even more interesting are two wildly ambitious list songs, "A Star Is Born" and "Ten Years After," that suggest the young Sondheim's cleverness was almost matched by his fascination with popular culture. There's also some variation on the "living room tapes" theme, with a 1948 radio broadcast of an instrumental combo playing a lovely waltz, "How Do I Know?" that foreshadows his film score for Stavisky.

As a singer, Sondheim is closer to Glynis Johns than Bernadette Peters, but he has the enthusiasm to match his vigorous piano-playing. The private-home recordings sound remarkably good, and the booklet is amazingly detailed, providing exactly the historical background required for this type of material, all the lyrics, and annotations of every reference in the list songs mentioned earlier. And again, proceeds from the recording will go to Young Playwrights Inc., which Sondheim founded to support playwrights under 18. --David Horiuchi

Album Description
The second volume of PS Classics’ acclaimed SONDHEIM SINGS series, like the first, consists of newly remastered demos from the Tony, Grammy, Oscar and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer-lyricist’s private collection. Volume II covers the years 1946 to 1960 and includes rare songs Sondheim wrote in college, for early unproduced musicals, and for the amusement of friends and colleagues in the 1950’s.

Sondheim Sings, Vol. 2: 1946-1960, Music, Stephen Sondheim, Musical, Pop, Show Tunes, Showtunes / B'way, United States of America

Average customer rating:

An ego exceeding a talent

For Sondheads only, I assume...

Very intersting, but ...

Sondheim Sings, Vol. 2: 1946-1960
Stephen Sondheim
Manufacturer: P.S. Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Sondheim, Stephen | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000B7HZL4
Release Date: 2005-10-25

You're Only as Old as You Look
Do I Hear a Waltz?
Pour le Sport
Men
Steve Greets Ockie 1
What to Do at George School
How Do I Know?
When I Get Famous
A Star Is Born
I Remember That
In No Time At All/A Moment With You
New York Song
The Girls of Summer
I Wouldn't Change a Thing
Ten Years Old
High Life
Where Do I Belong?
Bitterness/Steve Greets Ockie 2

Amazon.com

The second volume of Sondheim Sings is an even greater discovery than the first. While that was a fascinating glimpse into the composer's private recordings of early versions of very familiar songs, volume 2 goes back to 1946 (and earlier), when Stephen Sondheim was a precocious 16-year-old writing a show called By George (which, as legend has it, Sondheim presented to Oscar Hammerstein II, who told him, "It's terrible, and I'll tell you why," thus propelling an eventually brilliant career). The most familiar song to listeners will be "Do I Hear a Waltz," written as the title song of a show composed by Richard Rodgers, but "Pour le Sport" is a fun romp. Even more interesting are two wildly ambitious list songs, "A Star Is Born" and "Ten Years After," that suggest the young Sondheim's cleverness was almost matched by his fascination with popular culture. There's also some variation on the "living room tapes" theme, with a 1948 radio broadcast of an instrumental combo playing a lovely waltz, "How Do I Know?" that foreshadows his film score for Stavisky.

As a singer, Sondheim is closer to Glynis Johns than Bernadette Peters, but he has the enthusiasm to match his vigorous piano-playing. The private-home recordings sound remarkably good, and the booklet is amazingly detailed, providing exactly the historical background required for this type of material, all the lyrics, and annotations of every reference in the list songs mentioned earlier. And again, proceeds from the recording will go to Young Playwrights Inc., which Sondheim founded to support playwrights under 18. --David Horiuchi

Album Description

The second volume of PS Classics' acclaimed SONDHEIM SINGS series, like the first, consists of newly remastered demos from the Tony, Grammy, Oscar and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer-lyricist's private collection. Volume II covers the years 1946 to 1960 and includes rare songs Sondheim wrote in college, for early unproduced musicals, and for the amusement of friends and colleagues in the 1950's.

Customer Reviews:

An ego exceeding a talent.......2006-03-14

Mr. Sondheim is a phenominal composer/lyricist...none better in my book. Mr. Sondheim, however, can't sing a lick. There are a thousand great Broadway voices who would have killed for the opportunity to present these early works. Mr. Sondheim chose to kill them himself.

For Sondheads only, I assume..........2005-12-20

This recording is really great. But I doubt it has relevance for any other than us hard core fans.

Most of the songs are really good. Some are unexpectedly tuneful, some are literally breathtaking. Most are witty and touching, as one expects from Sondheim songs.

One highlight is the incredible list song A Star Is Born, which seems to go on forever and forever, constantly topping itself in inventiveness. It has to be heard to be believed!

I recommend this CD to people who are more than average interrested in Sondheim music. For people who ae not yet hard core fans of his, I recommend becoming one before purchasing this CD.

Very intersting, but ..........2005-11-15

Well, you'd never buy this for Stephen Songheim's singing voice! This probably should be the first volume of the series, since it has reviews of his earlier work, but the songs here are very obscure indeed. Almost all of them are student works, or works written for friends etc. They are really interesting to hear especially as a historical curiosity, (although I don't think I will be playing the CD again without skipping the cut "10 years old" which is basically just annoying).
I found that after a few hearings the cd really grows on you. It is not surprising however that these musicals in general were never produced, if these were the only performances heard by backers etc.
P.S. classics should consider having professional performing musicians perform the never before recorded songs to get a better idea of their merit.

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